Psa. 84:10-12 IF I ONLY HAD ONE DAY
Intro: Ill. V. 10a - Consider for a moment that you only had one day to
live. What would you do with that one day? Maybe you would spend it doing something you
had always wanted to do, but had never gotten the chance. Maybe you would choose to spend
it with family and friends. Maybe you would want to spend that one day fulfilling some
fantasy, or perhaps it would be spent as had every other day of your life had been spent.
In this verse, David seems to be considering that thought and comes to the conclusion that
one day spent serving God is better than 1,000 days spent doing anything else. It seems to
me that David is saying that if he only had one day in which to live, that he would spend
it serving the Lord.
If I only had one day, how would I spend it? I think I would want to
spend it serving the Lord. How about you? In these verses, David talks about his decision
and the reasons why he feels this way. Let's look at these 3 verses as we think on the
thought, If I Only Had One Day!
If I Only Had One Day, I'd Want To:
I. V. 10 BE FOUND IN MY PLACE
A. In My Place Of Service - David tells us that
he had rather be the lowly door keeper in the House of God that to enjoy the all the
wealth and luxury of evil. In other words, David says that he would rather be found
serving the Lord than serving the Devil! I say "Amen" to that! The Bible makes
it clear that every saint of God has a special place of ministry and service to the Lord,
1 Cor. 12:7-12. Now, while some positions are more visible than others, none is any more
or less valuable than any other position in the body of Christ. The greatest thing a man
can say is that he is being faithful to the task God has called him to. If I had one day
to live I would want to be found in my place of service doing what the Lord has called me
to do! (Note: He just wants to be in the door, where he can look in every now and again
and see the Lord at work.
B. In My Place Of Surrender - The words "my
God" seem to infer a sense of devotion to God. David is saying that he wants to be
found in his place, surrendered to the perfect will of God for his life. In other words,
he wants to die on the battlefield faithfully serving the Lord who sought him and bought
him out of sin and destruction. If I had just one day to live, I'd want to live it still
surrendered to the Lord's will for my life. There is no higher calling than that of simply
being what the Lord wants you to be! (Note: When the Lord is "My God" all of His
things will become exceedingly precious to me and I will want to be near Him at all
times!)
C. In My Place Of Satisfaction - David is
telling us by his decision that he believes the Lord's worst is still better than the
devil's best! You see, the surrendered saint has learned something that the world never
gets a handle on, "all the devil's apples have worms!" Nothing is more
satisfying that serving the Lord and knowing that you are in His will. If I had but one
day to live, I'd still want to be found in my place serving my sweet Lord! What about you?
II. V. 11 ENJOY GOD'S PROVISIONS
A. His Presence - David calls the Lord a sun.
Like the sun above, the Lord is ever with His children, Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20. Like the
sun above, the Lord is ever providing comfort for the journey. God lights our way, He
warms our way and gives guidance to us along the way. Just as the suns delights the hearts
of men, so the Lord delights the hearts of His children!
B. His Protection - The Lord is also called a
shield. Just as He provides warmth and light for our journey, He also provides protection
for His people in the way. The Psalmist tells us that we are protected by the Angel of the
Lord, Psa. 34:7. He is above us to give us what we need and He is all around us to protect
us as we journey toward Heaven. Thank God that we are kept by His power - 1 Pet. 1:5
C. His Promises - Now the Psalmist tells us that
the Lord will give Grace and Glory. This is a two-fold promise to every child of God. We
are promised His grace while we travel and His glory when we arrive at home. There is help
for today and hope for tomorrow. God is simply promising to get us home safely!
D. His Plenty - Here we are reminded that the
Lord delights in providing for the needs of His children, Luke 12:32. We must remember
that we are His children and the sheep of His pasture, Psa. 100:3. One reason we have the
troubles we have and worry as we do is that we have forgotten to whom we belong! We are
the Lord's people and we are His responsibility, Matt. 6:24-33. He will bless your life,
it is simply a matter of your learning to trust Him and rest in Him!
III. V. 12 SHARE GOD'S PROMISES
(Ill. This Psalm closes with the Psalmist praising the Lord and exalting
Him. In doing so, he reminds us that genuine happiness can be produced only by placing
one's faith and trust in the Lord. This speaks of a life that is yielded and walking in
true faith. The person who walks in faith is blessed and can count on the Lord showing
Himself strong in their need - Matt. 6:33. Like the Psalmist, God's people need to be in
the business of spreading the word that faith in Jesus pays off. Our job is to share the
Gospel of grace with a world that is sold under sin! If I only had one day, I'd want to
spend it telling someone about Him!)
Conc: If you knew that tomorrow would be your last day upon the earth,
how would you spend it? God help us all to decide to spend whatever remains of our days
for Him and His glory. Blessed is the man who does!
